Mounting devices

ABSTRACT

A sign is formed from a plurality of panels abutted edge-to-edge. A main elongate reinforcing member has a transverse head for attachment thereto of a mounting device for the sign, and a depending leg terminating in an offset foot secured to the rear of a first sign panel adjacent an abutting edge of the panel. A second, elongate, reinforcing member has a generally L-shaped cross-section including a foot portion secured to the rear of an adjacent second sign panel at the edge abutting the first panel and an upright portion abutting the leg of the main reinforcing member. One of the reinforcing members has a flange at the foot projecting into a recess in the foot portion of the other reinforcing member. The head of the reinforcing member is offset with respect to the leg on the opposite side from the projection of the foot to expose the foot for rivetting to the plate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mounting devices suitable for the mounting ofsigns to supporting posts, although the mounting devices in one or moreaspects of the invention could be used in other mounting situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a series of earlier patents, for example GB 1416734, GB 1533412 andGB 2021390, I disclosed mounting devices suitable for securing a post toa reinforcing channel on the rear of a sign panel, the channel mouthbeing furnished with inturned lips to retain elements of the mountingdevice. The mounting devices were typically pressed from stainless steelsheet, and the reinforcing channels were normally made from extrudedaluminium. The system has proved extremely successful for many years;however I have now conceived of a modification or departure from thatsuccessful design concept which appears in practice to be surprisinglyadvantageous, particularly providing a construction of considerablestrength and durability while economising substantially in the materialsand costs involved.

Another aspect of the invention deals with the problem of forming largersigns from two or more panels abutted edge to edge. Conventionally somekind of construction or device is provided to prevent light from passingthrough a gap between adjacent panels, it being virtually impossible toprovide a light-tight joint between the panels by simple abutment. Suchdevices or constructions which are used in practice tend to beexpensive, complicated, unreliable or in other ways unsatisfactory. Ihave conceived of a construction which provides distinct advantages oversome of the available alternatives. This aspect of the invention canemploy the improved mounting device referred to in the precedingparagraph, to make use of the advantages provided thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided anelongate reinforcing member for a sign panel, having in cross-section afoot portion for securing to the rear face of a sign panel and a headportion having a dove-tailed slot for engagement with a trapezoidalshaped head at the end of a strap for passing around a supporting post.

Preferably said trapezoidal shaped head at one end at least of the strapis cut in the flat sheet material of the strap. A said trapezoidalshaped head may be provided by the chamfered head of a bolt, thethreaded shank of which extends through an aperture in an out-turnedflange at the end of the strap and is tightenably retained by a nut.

The head of the reinforcing member is preferably connected to the footby a leg, and preferably the head and leg together have a generallyT-section.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided anelongate reinforcing member for a sign panel, having in cross-section afoot-portion for securing to the rear face of a sign panel a headportion for attachment to a strap for passing around a supporting post,and a leg connecting the head and foot, the head being offset withrespect to the leg so that the foot projects in the opposite directionfor rivetting to a sign panel.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a signformed from a plurality of panels abutted edge-to-edge, a main elongatereinforcing member having in cross-section a transverse head forattachment thereto of a mounting device for the sign, and a dependingleg terminating in an offset foot secured to the rear of a first saidsign panel adjacent an abutting edge of said panel, and an elongateco-operating member having a generally L-shaped cross-section comprisinga foot portion secured to the rear of an adjacent second said sign panelat the edge abutting the first panel and an upright portion abutting theleg of the main reinforcing member, one of the reinforcing membershaving a flange at the foot projecting into a recess in the foot portionof the other reinforcing member.

The top of the upright portion of the co-operating reinforcing member ispreferably offset to engage under the head of the main reinforcingmember. Said flange is suitably provided at the foot of the mainreinforcing member and the recess is provided in the foot of theco-operating reinforcing member.

The main reinforcing member of the sign panel as described above may bea reinforcing member as described in the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, variousembodiments thereof will be described by way of example with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an end view of a joint between two panels in a signemploying a mounting device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an attachment device and strap forsecuring the sign to a supporting post;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the head of the main reinforcing member ofFIG. 1 with the flat end of the attachment device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the head of the main reinforcing member ofFIG. 1 with the other end of the attachment device of FIG. 2 engaged;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of reinforcing members suitable forsmaller signs.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a modification of the flat end of theattachment device of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show respectively a perspective view, and a side view ofanother modification of the flat end of the attachment device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of attachmentmember for external attachment of a mounting device on T-shaped head ofa reinforcing member;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section on the line X--X of FIG. 10, indicatingthe manner in which the attachment member is fitted to the reinforcingmember;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view, of a second embodiment of externalattachment member;

FIG. 13 shows an end view of a third embodiment of external attachmentmember, being a modification of that shown in FIG. 12 for use with amodified section of reinforcing member;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of a complete mounting deviceincorporating the attachment members of FIGS. 10-12;

FIG. 15 shows part of the mounting device of FIG. 14, modified to suitthe modified reinforcing member as shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the modified reinforcing bar andattachment member of FIG. 13 in conjunction with a supporting post of T-or I-section;

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of a saddle-form mounting device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 18 shows an end view of the device of FIG. 17 in use;

FIGS. 19 and 20 show similar end views of attachment members modifiedfrom those of FIGS. 12 and 13, for use with further modifiedcross-sections of reinforcing member;

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of externalattachment device positioned on a reinforcing member in the non-securedposition;

FIG. 22 shows an end view of another embodiment of external attachmentdevice, shown in the non-secured position on a reinforcing member;

FIG. 23 shows an end view of yet another embodiment of externalattachment device, shown in the secured position on a reinforcingmember;

FIG. 24 is an end view of a multi-functional reinforcing member,provided with a channel with inturned lips;

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of mountingdevice for a T-shaped reinforcing member.

FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of attachmentmember;

FIGS. 27 and 28 show successive stages in the fitting of the attachmentmember of FIG. 26 to a reinforcing member; and

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of the attachment member of FIGS. 26 to28.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to FIG. 1, a sign is formed froma plurality of sign panels 10a, 10b, abutting edge-to-edge. Secured tothe rear face of one of the panels 10a is an elongate main reinforcingmember 11 of extruded aluminium, comprising a T-shaped head portion 12from which depends a leg 14 leading to a foot 16. The foot 16 is securedto the rear face of the sign plate suitably by rivets 18, although itcould instead or in addition be by means of adhesive. The head 12 andfoot 16 are offset in opposite directions with respect to the leg 14,thereby exposing the foot for access by a rivetting device. This isimportant in allowing the rivets to be applied from the rear of thesign, which enables the other ends of the rivets to be flush with thefront face of the sign. The head 12 is shown offset in that it projectsmore to one side of the leg than the other, but it could project whollyto one side of the leg, if appropriate.

The foot 16 is likewise shown in this embodiment as only partiallyoffset with respect to the leg, thereby providing a coplanar flange 20projecting in the opposite direction. The reinforcing member 11 issecured to the panel 10a so that the flange 20 lies flush with the edgeof the panel which abuts the panel 10b.

A co-operating reinforcing member 21, also of extruded aluminium issecured to the rear face of the panel 10b. It is of L-shape incross-section and comprises a foot 22 which is secured to the panel 10bby rivets and/or adhesive, and an upright portion 24 with a turned-overlip 26. The foot 22 is provided with a rebate 28 suitable to accommodatethe flange 20 of the main reinforcing member 11. The foot 22 of theco-operating reinforcing member 21 is secured to the panel 10b so thatthe rebate 28 projects beyond the edge of the panel abutting the panel10a. In this condition the upright portion abuts the leg 14 of the mainreinforcing member with the lip 26 engaging under the head 12. Theabutting portions 14,24 can be secured together, for example by rivetsbolts or clamps. In an alternative arrangement, the flange 20 could beprovided on the co-operating reinforcement member 21 and the rebate 28in the main reinforcement member 11.

The head 12 of the main reinforcing member is provided with adove-tailed channel 33 running the length of the head. Its dimensionsare suitably as indicated in FIG. 1 where V=5 mm, X=20 mm, Y=16.2 mm andZ=8.2 mm.

In this channel are engageable the end attachments of a mounting devicesuch as that shown in FIG. 2. The mounting device comprises a U-shapedstrap 30 formed from stainless steel sheet, having at one end portion anarrowed neck 32 terminating in a trapezoidal end 34 whose slopingshoulders, e.g. at an angle of 37° to the horizontal, match the slopinginternal sides of the dove-tail channel, so that the end 34 can beinserted through the channel mouth in the lengthwise orientation andthen twisted into the transverse orientation as shown in FIG. 3, whereit is retained by the channel. A blip or swage 31, suitably oftriangular form, is preferably pressed in the sheet material of thetrapezoidal end 34 to increase its rigidity.

At the other end the strap 30 is formed with an out-turned flange 36,terminating in a down-turned lip 38 with a central nib 40. The flange 36has an aperture 42 to receive the shank of a bolt 44 whose head 46 isprovided with chamfered sides 48 to match the sloping internal sides ofthe channel 33 so that it can be retained therein. Thus, the head of thebolt can be introduced into the end of the channel 33 and slid along itto the desired position with the shank projecting from the channel mouthto allow the flange 36 to be fitted to it and retained by a nut 50 whichalso serves to tighten the strap around a post to which the sign is tobe mounted.

The mounting device illustrated in FIG. 2 in conjunction with thedove-tail slotted head of the aluminium reinforcing member proves to beof quite surprising strength. For example, with dimensions similar tothose indicated, and a bolt head of 13.2×13.2 mm a load of 1,291 kg wasrequired to pull the head of the bolt through the mouth of the channel.Even more surprisingly, at the other end, the flat stainless steel endof the strap, despite having a sheet steel thickness of only 1.8 mm, didnot pull through the much softer aluminium until a force of 808 kg wasapplied.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show smaller elongate reinforcing members 35, 37 forattachment to small sign panels. Each reinforcing member has adove-tailed slot 33, the floor 39 of which coincides with the foot 16for attachment to the sign panel, for example by rivetting.

Referring to FIG. 7, a modification of the trapezoidal end 34 has ears52 extending in opposite directions to increase the area of engagementwith the sloping internal sides of the channel 33. The ears may berectangular as shown or triangular as indicated at 54.

In a further modification, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ears 52 mayextend in the same direction, and an optional lip 35 of generallysemi-circular outline may extend in the opposite direction.

The method of forming a reinforced joint as shown in FIG. 1 is simple,effective and more economical than most conventional arrangements.Moreover, the interengaging flange 20 and recess 28 prevent alight-transmitting gap from forming between adjacent panels.

More generally, the reinforcing member which employs a T- or I-sectionas represented by the head 12, leg 14 and foot 16, provides a saving ofabout 30% in material over the equivalent strength reinforcing channelof my earlier designs which have been successfully used for many years,as noted earlier.

This aspect of the invention has led me to conceive of alternative formsof attachment of a mounting strap to the head of a T- or I- sectionreinforcing member, as exemplified below.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11; a sign panel 110 has secured to its rearsurface one or more elongate reinforcing members 112, suitably made fromextruded aluminium. The reinforcing member is of generally I-section,having a head 114 and foot 116 joined by an intermediate web 118. Thefoot 116 is secured to the rear surface of the sign panel 110, forexample by rivets or adhesive in known manner.

An attachment member 120 is connected to the head 114, and is suitablypressed from stainless steel sheet. It comprises a generally rectangularbody part 122 with a transverse slot 124 to receive in known manner astrap for passing around a post to which the sign is to be mounted.Projecting from opposite sides of the body 122, the attachment member isprovided with a pair of limbs 126 of mutually inwardly opening channelsection, having a top wall 128, a side wall 130 and a bottom wall 132(see FIG. 11). The spacing between the top and bottom walls 128, 132 issufficient to slidably accommodate the head 114 of the reinforcingmember 112, while the least distance between the two walls 130 is alittle greater than the width of the head 114. In addition, as shown inFIG. 11, the walls 132 have mutually facing truncated edges 134, alsospaced apart by slightly more than the width of head 114.

As shown in FIG. 11, the attachment member 120 can be fitted on thereinforcing member 112 by introducing the head 114 between the truncatededges 134 of the limbs 126, as indicated in phantom lines. Thereafter,the attachment member and reinforcing member are mutually swivelled, asshown by the arrow A, bringing them into the secure position shown infull lines, in which the head 114 is located within the channels of thelimbs 126, thereby retaining the attachment member on the reinforcingmember. The attachment member can be released from the reinforcingmember by reversing the process.

Referring now to FIG. 12; an attachment member 140, also suitably formedfrom stainless steel sheet, comprises a pair of mutually inwardlydirected side channels having top and bottom walls 144, 146 joined by aside wall 148. The top walls 144 are joined by an inverted channelbridge portion comprising a top wall 152 and side walls 154. As with thelimbs 126 in the attachment member of FIG. 10, the side channels are ofa size and configuration suitable to slidably receive and be retained onthe head 114 of the T-shape reinforcing member 112. The top wall of thebridge portion 152 has a central aperture 156 through which projects theshank 158 of a bolt, whose head 160 is retained within the channel ofthe bridge piece, the side walls 154 being of a sufficient height toaccommodate the head, and the distance between the side walls 154 beingonly slightly greater than the width of the, preferably rectangular,head 160, whereby the head is prevented from rotating within the channelof the bridge piece.

The attachment member 140 can be fitted onto the head 114 of thereinforcing member by sliding it lengthwise along the head.Alternatively, the side walls 148 and bottom walls 146 can be configuredsimilarly to the side walls 130 and bottom walls 132 of the attachmentmember shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, so that the attachment member 140 canbe fitted onto the head 114 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 11.

Referring to FIG. 13; the head 114 in this case is thicker than thatshown in the earlier embodiments, but has a central recess 162 extendingthe full length of the extrusion, and of a width sufficient toaccommodate the head 160 of the bolt, but prevent it from rotating. Inthis case, the attachment member 140 is similar to that shown in FIG.12, except that it does not need to have a channel shape bridging piece.Instead the two channels are simply bridged by having a common top wall144, centrally apertured to receive the shank 158 of the bolt.

Referring to FIG. 14; with a reinforcing member as shown in FIGS. 10-12(only the head is shown), a complete mounting device is constructed froman attachment member 120 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, anattachment member 140 as illustrated in FIG. 12, a U-shaped strap 170cranked at one end 172 for insertion into the slot 124 in the attachmentmember 120, and the other end of the strap being similarly cranked forengagement in a slot in one limb 174 of a chair-shaped bracket 176. Theseat portion 178 of the chair shape bracket has a central aperture tofit over the shank 158 of the bolt projecting from the attachment member140, where it is retained by a nut 159. The depending portion 180 of thechair-shaped bracket has a pair of outer legs 182 which fit either sideof the head 114 of the reinforcing member.

In use, the attachment member 140 is fitted on the head 114, andlikewise the attachment member 120, with the strap 170 passed around apost 184 and the chair-shaped member 176 fitted onto the shank 158 ofthe bolt of the attachment member 140. The nut 159 is then applied andscrewed down to tighten the strap around the post.

As a refinement of the attachment member 140, as more particularlyillustrated in FIG. 13, the lower walls 146 of the mutually facing sidechannels of the attachment member can be provided with inturned swages190 which bite into the under-surface of the head 114 of the reinforcingmember when the strap is tightened around the post, thereby resistingany tendency of the attachment member to slide along the reinforcingmember. Additionally or alternatively, such swaging can be provided onthe lower walls 132 of the attachment member 120.

As shown in FIG. 15, where the reinforcing member 112 has the modifiedform shown in FIG. 13, the depending portion 180 of the chair-shapedbracket 176 can have a single central leg 192 to enter the channel 162,instead of the pair of legs 182 to lie outside the head 114.

Referring to FIG. 16; where the fixing is to be to a T- or I-sectionpost 194, it may be inconvenient to provide a strap 170 shaped and ofsufficient size to pass around the post; and instead, a pair ofattachment members 140 can be used, with the bolts therefrom eachsecuring an L-shaped finger element 196, which in known manner clampsthe edge of a flange of the post 194. The clamping finger 196 can beprovided at one end with a leg 192, similar to that shown in FIG. 15,where the reinforcing member 112 has the modified form shown in FIGS. 13and 15. Otherwise this may be omitted, or a pair of outer legs providedsimilar to the legs 182 shown in FIG. 14.

Turning now to FIG. 17; this is a modification of the saddle-shapedmounting device disclosed in my patent specification GB 1533412. Thedevice comprises two parts, each formed from stainless steel sheet. Afirst part 200 is of generally channel form, having a pair of side walls202 joined by a base 204. The free edges of the side walls 202 haveshallow V-profiles 206 to bear upon circular mounting posts of varyingdiameters, and these edges of the side walls 202 may be turned over, asat 208, to provide increased bearing surfaces and minimize damage to thepost. The other part 201 of the device is a U-shaped bracket having apair of similarly shaped opposite end plates 210, each having a slot 212for attachment to a strap 170 (see FIG. 18), the plate having a pair ofdepending limb portions 214 which are joined to corresponding limbs ofthe opposite end plate by respective strips 216. The two strips 216 areseparated by a gap 218 a little wider than the thickness of the wall 118of the reinforcing member 112, while the distance between the dependinglimbs 214 of the end plates 210 is slightly greater than the width ofthe head 114 of the reinforcing member, and the length of the limbs 214is sufficient to allow the head 114 to be accommodated between the base204 of the component 200 and the strips 216 of the component 201, asshown in FIG. 18. The base 204 of the channel component is extended ateach end to form a pair of tongues 220 to project between the limbs 214of the other component, and thereby hold the two components togetherwhen not in use.

In use, the mounting member is slid lengthwise onto the head 114 of thereinforcing member, and a strap 170 passed through the slots 212 andaround the post, and tightened and secured, suitably by a buckle or nutand bolt in known manner. This tightening has the effect of drawing thestrips 216 upwards towards the base 204, thereby securely clamping thehead 114 of the reinforcing member between them.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20; here the heads 114 of the reinforcingmembers 112 are extended upwardly to form an upwardly opening channel.In the case of FIG. 19, the upper extensions take the form of mutuallyinwardly inclined walls 222, around which slidably fits an attachmentmember 140 of similar cross-section. The head 160 of the bolt is trappedwithin the channel and has a trapezoidal cross-section to match theinternal shape of the channel. On tightening the strap around the post,the head is drawn upwardly to wedge in the mouth of the channel, whilethe embracing attachment member 140 prevents the channel mouth fromopening under the strain.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 20 is essentially similar, except that inthis case the channel formation on the head 114 has a rectangularconfiguration, with side walls 224 topped by mutually inturned lips 226,the resulting channel accommodating non-rotatably the rectangular head160 of the bolt.

Referring to FIG. 21; an attachment device 320, which is suitablypressed from stainless steel sheet, is shown located on the first head114 in an unsecured position. The attachment device comprises a bodyplate 321 in the form of an inverted channel bridge portion comprising atop wall 322 and side walls 324. On either side of the bridge portion322 and connected to the side walls 324 are further top walls 326.Connected to these top walls 326 and at opposing corners of the bodyplate are L-shaped side walls 328, the free-limbs 329 of the Lterminating in wings 330.

When the attachment device is in the unsecured position as shown in FIG.21, the wings 330 are directed mutually outwardly from the reinforcingmember 112. A space 332 is defined by the body plate 321 and the edge offree limb 329 to enable the attachment device 320 when in a desiredposition on reinforcing member 112 to be twisted (in a clockwisedirection in the embodiment shown, where a normally threaded bolt 334 isused) such that the spaces 332 receive the head 114, and the free-limbs329 of the side walls 328 engage under the head of T. In use, the signwould be connected to a post by a strap passed around the post andfitted onto the shank 334 of the bolt. In this manner, the tightening ofthe nut also serves to fasten the attachment device 320 to the strap.The other end of the strap may be likewise connected to a furtherattachment member 320, or any other suitable attachment device, forexample as described herein.

The attachment device 320 shown in FIG. 21 is suitable for retainingquite large signs etc. via reinforcing members 112. With lesssubstantial signs, it is possible to use a reinforcing member of smallercross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 22, where the body plate of theattachment device 340 is reduced in size accordingly. The attachmentdevice 340 is for the most part essentially similar to the device 320shown in FIG. 21 the step formed by side wall 324 and top wall 326having been omitted, and the L-shaped side walls 328 depending directlyfrom the bridge portion 322.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of attachment member in which the headof the bolt has been replaced by a stud 344 of known type, having aknurled periphery which prevents its rotation after it has been pressedinto an aperture in the plate. Also shown in FIG. 23, on the edge 331 ofthe free limbs 329 are notches 352. On tightening attachment member 350,notches 352 receive projections 354 on the underside of the head 114,thereby further increasing the firmness of the attachment. It is alsofeasible for the notches to be provided on the underside of thecross-piece 314 and to provide the free limbs 329 with the correspondingprojections.

Although reinforcement members of T-section show some distinctadvantages over existing channel-type reinforcing members, the successof the system based on reinforcing channels ensures that attachmentmembers for use with that earlier system will continue to bemanufactured and in general use for a considerable time. Accordingly,there will be a need for a means of using the earlier, channel-fittingattachment members with the T-section members disclosed herein. Thereinforcing member 360 shown in FIG. 24 is a multi-function type, basedon the main reinforcing member of FIG. 1, that can accept attachmentmembers of the channel system as well as those for T-sections. Insteadof a head 12 as shown in FIG. 1, a head region 372 surmounts the leg 14of the T. A channel 368 is provided in the head 372 defined by walls364, and opening upwardly away from leg 14 of the T and has lips 370directed inwardly, and preferably also downwardly, with respect tochannel 368. In one functional mode, the channel 368 can be used forconnection with attachment devices for channel section members, theinturned lips 370 retaining elements of such a device. In anotherfunctional mode, the outside of the head region 372 can be used forconnection with attachment devices for T-section members such as thosedisclosed earlier. In this functional mode, the side channels of theattachment devices fit slidably and securably around projections 374which constitute the extremities of the head of the T.

Multi-function members of the general type shown in FIG. 24, may, ofcourse, support a head region 372 with a channel 368 of any of the typesknown in the art.

The attachment device shown in FIG. 25 is made up from two similarhalves 400 comprising quarter-circle shape strap portions 402, each ofwhich terminates at one end in an out-turned flange 404, which isapertured so that the flanges can be adjustably secured together by anut and bolt 405, whereby the two straps portions together form asemi-circular strap to extend around a post 406. The other ends of thestraps portions have T-shaped slots 408 to slide over the T-shaped head412 of a reinforcing member. The strap portions are also provided withspurs 414 which engage the top of the T-shaped head 412, so that eachstrap portion can be self-supporting on the reinforcing member prior toconnecting the flanges 404 together. The strap portions are convenientlycut from a length of extruded aluminium, whereafter holes are formed inthe flanges 404 to receive the bolt, and the T-shaped slots 408 are cutin the other ends.

FIGS. 26-29 show a further embodiment of attachment member, comprisingtwo plates 530, 532 respectively having hook-shaped lower portions 534.The plate 530 has a slot 586 to take the cranked end 572 of the strap570 as previously described. The plate 532 has a slot 538 ofsector-form. The device is assembled by passing the cranked end 572 ofthe strap 570 through the slot 538 in the plate 532 and then through theslot 536 in the plate 530, as shown in FIG. 29, the shaped ends 534being mutually inwardly facing, providing thereby a pair of jaws.Conveniently the cranked end 572 is spot-welded to the plate 530, butthe plate 532 is in any event loosely held on the strap 570, so that itcan pivot to the extent permitted by the sector-shaped slot 538.

This is illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, which shows the attachmentmember in use. Initially the plate 530 is pivoted away from the plate532, thereby opening the jaws and the jaw of the plate 532 is hookedaround the head 114 of the reinforcing member 112. Then, the device isstraightened, as indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 27, causing the plate530 also to hook around the head 114, thereby closing the jaws aroundthe head. This action is reinforced by the tightening of the strap, inthe direction shown by the arrow C in FIG. 114, thereby locking the jawsaround the head 114.

As shown in FIG. 29, the edges of the jaws 534 which engage under thecross-piece 114 may be provided with turned-over flanges 540, extendingin the same or in mutually opposite directions, thereby providingincreased bearing surfaces under the head.

What we claim is:
 1. An elongate reinforcing member for a sign panelsaid reinforcing member having a cross-section defining:(a) a footportion for securing to a rear face of a sign panel; (b) a head portionincluding a dove-tailed slot for engagement with a trapezoidal-shapedhead at the end of a strap for passing around a supporting post; and,(c) a leg connecting the head and foot portions, the head portion beingoffset with respect to the leg, the foot portion being offset in adirection opposite the head portion for rivetting to a sign panel. 2.The reinforcing member according to claim 1 wherein the head portionprojects more on a first side of the leg than on a second side of theleg, opposite the first side.
 3. The reinforcing member according toclaim 2 wherein the foot portion projects more on the second side of theleg.
 4. A sign comprising:(i) a plurality of sign panels abuttededge-to-edge; (ii) a main, elongate, co-operating, reinforcing memberhaving a cross-section defining a transverse head attached to a mountingdevice for the sign, and a depending leg terminating in an offset footportion secured to a rear of a first of said sign panels adjacent anabutting edge of said first panel; and (iii) a second, elongate,co-operating, reinforcing member having a generally L-shapedcross-section comprising a foot portion secured to a rear of a second ofsaid sign panels at an edge abutting the first panel, and an uprightportion abutting the leg of the main reinforcing member, wherein a topof the upright portion of the second reinforcing member is offset toengage under the head of the main reinforcing member, one of thereinforcing members having a flange at the foot portion projecting intoa recess in the foot portion of the other reinforcing member.
 5. Thesign according to claim 4 wherein said flange is on the foot portion ofthe main reinforcing member and the recess is in the foot portion of thesecond reinforcing member.
 6. The sign according to claim 4 wherein thetransverse head includes a dove-tailed slot, and the mounting devicecomprises a strap for passing around a supporting post, the strap havingat least one trapezoidal shaped head at an end thereof, the dove-tailedslot being engageable with the trapezoidal shaped head.